Jewelry Term Definitions – Alphabetical C’s
Cabochon - A stone that is flat on one side & has a rounded dome on the other, with no carvings or facets.
Cameo - A carved gemstone or shell in which the design is raised relief above the background of a different color.
Cairngorm - A variety of quartz crystal found in the Cairngorm Mountains of Scotland. Typically a smokey yellow brown color, sometimes grayish brown. Used in Scottish jewelry and on kilt pins.
Carat - Measure of weight used for gemstones. Equivalent to 200 mg or 1/5 g. Diamonds are defined by carat points, other gemstones by carat weight and mm.
Chalcedony - A variety of quartz found in a number of different colors. Includes agate, carnelian, chrysoprase, onyx.
Charm Bracelet - An item of jewelry worn around the wrist. It carries personal charms: decorative pendants or trinkets which are signifiers of important things in the wearer's life. (personal note: really so much more than that)
Chrysoprase - A bright green apple translucent chalcedony found mainly in Australia. Has a bright even color and texture that lends itself to cabochons & carvings. Chrysoprase is the most valued variety of chalcedony.
Clarity - Clearness & absence of impurities in a gemstone.
Cultured Pearl - Pearl that is created within a mollusk by manually inserting an irritant. That is then surrounded by a pearl sublstance called nacre. Most pearls used in jewelry are cultured.
Filed Under: Jewelry Terms Glossary
About the Author: Wanda Fitzgerald is a Florida native and an vintage charm collector who loves to share her adventures in an e-commerce jewelry business with anyone who is interested.
